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Reds set their sights on benchmark Roar

Adelaide United FC has the chance to measure itself against the team that most typifies the style it wants to play when it goes up against Brisbane Roar in Round 9 of Harvey Norman Friday Night Football.

At home for its first game in four weeks, Adelaide United FC is presented with the chance to measure itself against the team that most typifies the style the Reds want to play when they go up against Brisbane Roar in Round 9 of Harvey Norman Friday Night Football.

The Reds will host the league leaders at Coopers Stadium, a proposition that excites United Coach Josep Gombau in the fact that the Roar have and are proving the masters of the possession based football in the Hyundai A-League, something the Spaniard wants his team to become known for.

Eight weeks into the Reds- ongoing transformation, it could be argued that tomorrow night is almost a case of the master against the apprentice, with Gombau highly complimentary of the way his opposite number Mike Mulvey and his players go about their business.

“This week is an important game because for me we play against the best team in the league in terms of playing football,” Gombau said.

“It will be very interesting for us also because we are a team that tries to play this football and I am excited for this and also for the players because it has the ingredients to be a very good game.”

“Both teams want to play, both teams want to keep the ball…they (Brisbane Roar) have results, we have not had results at this stage but we are trying to play this way and I think it will be an interesting game.”

“For me they are the team that I like to watch most in this league. Of course everyone has their opinions about football, and for me they play very good football because they keep the ball and they are very clear on what they need to do in attack and also in defence.”

As the Reds strive for their second win of the campaign, the fascinating aspect will be to see how the two teams attempting to play a similar style go counteracting the other. With both the Reds and the Roar focused on controlling the tempo of the game and holding possession, Gombau believes the result will in all likeliness come down to who does it better on the night.

“Whoever keeps the ball more has the advantage because both teams are comfortable with the ball,” Gombau said.

“We need to press up and try to get the ball, and when we have the ball we need to do what we are doing and hold onto it.”

Gombau revealed defender Jon McKain was a strong chance to return to the starting line-up after missing the past two games, but as always the Reds boss was keeping his cards close to his chest. Gates open at 5.30pm with kick-off at 7pm.